ODNR Division of Wildlife - A to Z Species Guide - Tundra Swan

Tundra Swan

This is our only highly migratory swan, and the large flocks that pass through in spring and fall are spectacular sights. There have been records of groups numbering into the thousands, but flocks of a few dozen would be more typical.

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Tundra Swan

Cygnus columbianus

At-a-Glance

• Incubation: 35-40 days

• Clutch Size: 5 eggs

• Young Fledge: 60-70 days after hatching

• Typical foods: aquatic plants, mollusks, fish, and shellfish

Description
The tundra swan is large with pure white plumage, except for a yellow spot below the eye. Its bill is black.

Habitat and Habits
This species was once known as the "whistling swan," although the sounds they make are more reminiscent of geese, or perhaps dogs heard from afar. "Tundra" is a much more appropriate moniker, as this species nests in the extreme northern reaches of North America. They are usually found in open marshes, lakes, or flooded fields. They sometimes forage in agricultural fields.

Reproduction and Care of the Young
Breeding takes place in northern Canada and Alaska. Nests are large mounds of grass on an island or next to a marsh. Both parents care for the young, which usually hatch in late June.